Spanos has worked in the NFL for 17 of his 19 years as a coach including 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also spent two seasons coaching linebackers for the Washington Redskins.

Whisenhunt says they are lucky to have Spanos working with the linebackers because Spanos showed he is a good teacher and leader at UCLA and also helped with some of the NFL's best defenses in Pittsburgh with Dick LeBeau.

During Spanos' time in Pittsburgh, the Steelers ranked in the top 10 for total yards allowed 13 times. Spanos says it's an honor to work with Whisenhunt again.